Collingwood draftee Jay Rantall to model game on Scott Pendlebury
Draftee Jay Rantall has a basketball background just like Scott Pendlebury, and he watched him closely growing up. Now he has the perfect opportunity to learn from the Norm Smith medallist at the Holden Centre.
Collingwood
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Collingwood’s new running king Jay Rantall says he will model his game on Magpies skipper and fellow basketball convert Scott Pendlebury.
Rantall has a strong basketball background, representing Australia at the FIBA under-17 World Cup in Argentina just last year.
He admits he has studied Pendlebury for a while and would continue to do so at close range after being snapped up by the Magpies at pick No. 40 in last week’s national draft.
“He’s someone I watched closely growing up,” he said.
“I went to a few games this year and sort of watched the way he plays, so maybe (I play like him) but I just play off instincts out there on the field.
“He’s great but I want to be my own player, but I know how great he is and I want to learn off him as well.
“I’m very lucky to be at this football club with so many great players.”
Rantall has already made an impression at his new club by taking out the club’s two kilometre time trial on Monday.
The 18-year-old, who was presented with the No. 35 jersey by 2010 premiership skipper Nick Maxwell on Tuesday, said he was pleased to make a good early impression to his new teammates.
“I knew that running endurance was probably one of my strengths so it was sort of great to bring that early and showcase that to the rest of the group,” he said.
“But I want to improve as a footballer and I know there are so many great people around me to sort of learn of.
“I had no idea (how I would go) coming into it, I just tried to run as hard as I could.
“But it’s only a test and footy is probably the main part.”
Rantall might already have the mantle as the Magpies’ endurance benchmark, but he is well aware there is a lot more to the game than running.
“I’m very team first, very team orientated, hardworking, but I think my main strength is my hands and my ability to free up other players too,” he said.
“At the same time I’m trying to work on my whole game and sort of mould it all together to be as consistent and as good a player as I can possibly be.”
He did not flinch or pause when asked if it was daunting to have joined the biggest club in the land.
“No, I think it’s exciting,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of the Collingwood Football Club with the coaches and players and staff they have here.
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“They’re all very experienced with a lot of knowledge, so it’s great to learn off those and hopefully they can help me improve as a person.”
Fellow draftee Trent Bianco, who will wear No. 34 at the Magpies, is enjoying his first week at the club he grew up as passionately supporting.
He said it was still a surreal feeling to line up next to his new teammates at Monday’s time trial.
“I’m not going to lie, it was a little bit nerve-racking,” he said.
“But once the time trial started it was business as usual.
“They’re just my teammates now really.
“It was a bit daunting but I’ll get used to it.”
Key position draftee Trey Ruscoe, who will wear the No. 39 after being recruited as a key defender, is temporarily living with ruckman Brodie Grundy while he settles into Melbourne.
“He set me up with a room upstairs and I just watch Netflix,” the West Australian said.
“Dinner (last night) was the left over lunch from here.
“We also made some homemade pizzas as well, so it was good.”
Originally published as Collingwood draftee Jay Rantall to model game on Scott Pendlebury